Chapter 595 - 191 Radio Silence Explained

Chapter 595: Chapter 191 Radio Silence Explained

Daniel’s POV

I sent a message to my little one the moment I arrived in Port Harbor, but her response was unusually cold and brief. She was clearly displeased with me—normally her texts overflowed with sweet words and affection. I needed to call her immediately, but Adler had already informed me that the precinct was in complete chaos today. We had agreed I would arrive by noon, and though he said there was no urgent deadline, he promised to notify me if the situation became critical—which it clearly had.

I decided to postpone calling Lila until I could assess the situation at the station. When I walked through those doors, it was absolute pandemonium. Between the ongoing investigations into the dockside smuggling operations, processing statements from witnesses in the Thorne family territory disputes, and handling fresh arrests from last night’s casino raid, the hours evaporated like smoke.

By late afternoon, I finally found a moment to catch my breath and tried calling my little one, but the call went straight to voicemail. This was completely unlike her. After everything she had endured with Claire’s schemes, her phone had become practically welded to her hand, and this sudden radio silence triggered every alarm bell in my head.

Between juggling cases involving territorial disputes between rival families and coordinating with the narcotics division on cartel infiltration, I kept trying to reach her. I called Thorne Group’s legal department only to learn from the receptionist that she had already departed for the day. When I contacted my sister Sybilla, she informed me that while Lila had been away from the office for most of the day, she had spoken with her briefly before closing time and everything seemed normal.

But experience in both the police force and growing up in the Martinez family had taught me never to ignore my instincts. When you have witnessed the worst of what both the legitimate and underground worlds can unleash, paranoia becomes your most trusted companion.

I reached out to everyone in our network—from Thorne family associates to Lila’s college friends—and nobody had any knowledge of her whereabouts. They all attempted to reassure me, suggesting she was probably attending her evening law classes or studying at the university library. Then I remembered to contact MP at the underground club where she sometimes went for legal consultation work. When I called, he confirmed she had not appeared yet but promised to alert me the instant she showed up. Meanwhile, my anxiety was climbing to dangerous levels, and my mother’s persistent calls were only making everything worse. She knew perfectly well I was not speaking to her—why could she not respect that boundary?

Making the entire situation more complicated, I was drowning in cases and could not abandon the station after taking the entire morning off to travel here. The ongoing investigation into money laundering through high-end art galleries—a specialty of the Sullivan family’s legitimate operations—required my immediate attention. I had no choice but to ask Sybilla and Jude to check our penthouse apartment and report back if Lila was there.

In the midst of this storm of stress gnawing at my nerves, my brother Gregory called, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic note of genuine concern.

"What is it, Gregory?" I snapped, my patience worn razor-thin by the day’s events.

"Mother went to Port Harbor. Has she attempted to contact you?" His tone matched the gravity I was feeling. What in hell was Mrs. Martinez doing in my territory?

"She tried calling repeatedly, but I ignored every attempt. She knows exactly where I stand regarding her and her husband’s political machinations," I reminded him of my decision to completely sever ties with the family’s business operations.

"Daniel, I understand your position, but she is genuinely suffering—first Sybilla cut off all communication, now you have done the same..." Gregory had always served as our family’s diplomatic mediator, the rational voice who could find middle ground in any conflict, but in this particular situation, compromise was not remotely possible—not for me.

"They made their choice when they decided to manipulate the judicial system for their own agenda. I warned them repeatedly about the consequences."

"I acknowledge that, but you must admit they have been good parents—overbearing and intrusive with questionable methods of achieving their objectives, certainly, but fundamentally good parents nonetheless."

"Listen carefully, Gregory, I am not changing my position on this matter. Lila nearly died or could have been forced into marriage with that psychopath."

"Daniel, Mother is not herself lately. She has even stopped her constant criticism of Sloane and ceased micromanaging every aspect of my life."

"Classic emotional manipulation tactic, Gregory. Do not fall victim to it."

"Perhaps you are correct, but she is currently in the hospital. Father and I are boarding a flight immediately. Apparently, she was struck by a cyclist and began feeling unwell, and some young woman assisted her in getting medical attention."

"Trust me, this is simply another one of her elaborate schemes to regain control."

"I do not believe so, because that young woman is still there with her at the hospital. She is undergoing various medical tests as we speak. So please, set aside your anger temporarily and visit the hospital. Before it becomes too late for regrets."

"Look, Gregory, I am completely overwhelmed with problems here, but I will attempt to stop by if circumstances permit. Which hospital?"

"Taylor Hospital. As I mentioned, Father and I are traveling there now."

"Fine, keep me informed of any developments." I suspected our mother was playing the sympathy card to manipulate the family dynamics, but Gregory’s concern seemed absolutely genuine. Perhaps I was wrong about her motivations. I felt conflicted about the situation, but I would not lower my guard easily. ℴℴ𝘮

"Brother, do not hold onto this bitterness indefinitely."

"I will consider your advice."

After wishing my brother safe travels, I tossed my phone onto the desk with more force than necessary. Still no communication from Lila, and Sybilla should have reached our apartment by now—why had she not called with an update? Just as I reached for my phone to contact her directly, a text message from Jude appeared on the screen. Reading its contents, I froze in complete disbelief—what in God’s name was Lila doing at the hospital with my mother?

This situation demanded immediate attention and resolution. Checking my watch, I noted my shift was officially ending. Whatever cases remained could wait until tomorrow morning; I would transfer the most urgent matters to the night shift detective.

I wrapped up my responsibilities as quickly as possible and headed directly for the hospital, my mind racing through countless possibilities. How had Lila ended up in the company of my mother? This had to be some elaborate scheme orchestrated by my parents—they must have engineered this meeting to gain access to Lila and use her as leverage against me. If they believed they could manipulate me through her, they were gravely mistaken. I would not allow them anywhere near her. This perfectly explained her radio silence throughout the day.

The drive felt interminable, my irritation mounting steadily with every mile that passed. When I finally arrived at Taylor Hospital, I parked haphazardly in the first available space and rushed through the entrance doors. From the main lobby, I immediately spotted Lila standing between Sybilla and Jude near the information desk; she appeared apprehensive, perhaps sensing the fury radiating from me as I approached. I stopped directly in front of her, placed my hands firmly on my hips, and locked eyes with her.

"Did you happen to lose your phone today, little one?"

She held my gaze steadily without flinching, and then, completely unexpectedly, burst into unrestrained laughter—not merely a polite chuckle, but full-blown, genuine laughter that echoed through the hospital corridor as if I had delivered the most amusing joke she had ever heard.

I stared at her in complete confusion, mirroring the bewildered expressions on Jude and Sybilla’s faces. What on earth had gotten into my little one’s head?